EP0637853B1 - Rapid interconnect module of two monopolar telephone lines - Google Patents

Abstract

Module for rapidly interconnecting two single-pole (unipolar) telephone lines (15, 23) using metal contacts (43, 50) with insulation-displacement slits (45, 52). It includes a base element (11) which is fixed to the receiving metal rail (1) and which ensures connection of the incoming leads (15), an intermediate element (21) which contains the major part of the connector assembly, an upper element (18) having a master screw (17) which ensures connection of the outgoing leads (23), and a fourth element (22) which is a five-pole plug-in unit forming a receptacle for an electrical circuit which forms at least electrical-continuity jumpers (32, 33), but which may also, for example, receive an overvoltage protection device (37) as well as, possibly, other additional components. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a rapid interconnection module, typically between the telephone network and a subscriber, of two monopolar telephone lines, this module having sealing characteristics allowing it to be installed outdoors, for example in circuit air.

Modules of this type are currently widely marketed by the Applicant under the reference "MX ...". and are therefore notoriously known. They are also widely described in documents US-A-4,614,396 and FR-A-2,661,283. They are based on the use of self-stripping tubular plugs, split accordingly at at least one of their two ends. All you need is a screwdriver to make the connections.

A self-stripping tubular split plug is an extremely rigid element. If it is used with a wire whose core is made of steel, this steel core deforms the slot in the plug, enlarging it so that it can penetrate it. It is then impossible to subsequently introduce therein wires whose core is of a smaller diameter, since they would float inside the slot.

In addition, several types of modules are currently provided, depending in particular on whether or not it is a module for protection against overvoltage, which is quite penalizing as regards the costs of manufacture, storage, and management.

• . un premier élément, ou élément de base de connexion de la ligne d'arrivée, qui vient se fixer sur ce rail métallique, et qui au moins comporte deux canaux d'introduction des deux fils de la ligne d'arrivée, des moyens étant en outre prévus pour connecter au rail métallique un contact métallique de mise à la masse qui traverse cet élément de base ;
• . un deuxième élément, ou élément intermédiaire, qui vient coiffer le premier élément et qui contient la majeure partie de la connectique de liaison entre ces deux lignes téléphoniques, cette connectique se présentant sous la forme de pièces métalliques rigides ou semi-rigides qui sont encastrées dans cet élément intermédiaire, une discontinuité de liaison électrique y étant toutefois ménagée pour chacune des deux liaisons de ligne et cette connectique comprenant nécéssairement d'une part deux contacts métalliques à chacun au moins une fente autodénudante qui sont proéminents en direction du rail métallique de façon à recevoir, en action de connexion autodénudante, les deux fils précités de la ligne d'arrivée préalablement introduits dans lesdits canaux dudit élément de base, et comprenant nécessairement d'autre part deux autres contacts métalliques à chacun au moins une fente autodénudante qui sont à contrario proéminents en direction opposée au rail métallique de façon à pouvoir recevoir, en action de connexion autodénudante, les deux fils de la ligne de départ qui sont à connecter aux deux fils respectifs de ladite ligne d'arrivée ;
• . un troisième élément, ou élément supérieur de connexion de la ligne de départ, qui est constitué, de manière connue en soi, comme une demi-douille supérieure de connexion rapide auto-dénudante d' une ligne monopaire, et qui est donc classiquement pourvu de deux canaux parallèles de réception et de guidage des deux brins de ligne à raccorder, ce troisième élément venant coiffer une première partie du deuxième élément en enfourchant, en coopération d'action de connexion autodénudante, lesdits deux autres contacts métalliques autodénudants, et ce troisième élément étant classiquement traversé par une vis, médiane et perpendiculaire au rail métallique, qui traverse totalement aussi le deuxième élément ainsi qu'au moins une partie du premier élément pour venir se visser dans un écrou ou taraudage en assurant alors le rapprochement forcé des trois éléments précités et par suite la connexion autodénudante des quatre brins de ligne ;
• . et un quatrième élément qui vient coiffer, en s'enfichant, la partie restante du deuxième élément en étant ainsi positionné côte-à-côte du troisième élément et sensiblement au même niveau que ce dernier, ce quatrième élément s'enfichant ainsi par cinq cosses de connexion électrique, dont une cosse de liaison audit contact métallique de mise à la masse qui lui-même traverse le premier et le deuxième élément, et dont deux autres paires de cosses qui se connectent respectivement à chaque côté respectif desdites deux discontinuités de liaison électrique qui sont prévues dans le deuxième élément, et ce quatrième élément formant réceptacle pour un circuit électrique qui est branché sur ces cinq cosses et qui au minimum vient assurer les deux liaisons électriques manquantes, en raison desdites discontinuités, dans la connectique que contient le deuxième élément.

The object of the invention is to propose a module which is more practical, more universal and more waterproof than the above-mentioned modules and currently marketed by the Applicant. To this end, it relates to a module for rapid interconnection of two monopolar telephone lines, characterized in that it consists of four elements which can be assembled on a metal support and earthing rail:

• . a first element, or basic connecting element of the finish line, which is fixed on this metal rail, and which at least comprises two channels for introducing the two wires of the finish line, means being in further provided for connecting to the metal rail a metal grounding contact which passes through this basic element;
• . a second element, or intermediate element, which comes to cover the first element and which contains the major part of the connection connection between these two telephone lines, this connection being in the form of rigid or semi-rigid metal parts which are embedded in this intermediate element, an electrical connection discontinuity being however provided there for each of the two line connections and this connection necessarily comprising on the one hand two metal contacts to each at least one insulation displacement slot which are prominent in the direction of the metal rail so as to receive, in action of insulation displacement connection, the two aforementioned wires of the finish line previously introduced into said channels of said base element, and necessarily comprising on the other hand two other metal contacts to each at least one insulation displacement slot which are in contrast prominent in the opposite direction to the metal rail so as to be able to receive, in insulation displacement connection action, the two wires of the starting line which are to be connected to the respective two wires of said finishing line;
• . a third element, or upper element for connecting the starting line, which is constituted, in a manner known per se, as a self-stripping quick-connect upper half-sleeve of a single-pair line, and which is therefore conventionally provided with two parallel channels for receiving and guiding the two line strands to be connected, this third element covering a first part of the second element by straddling, in cooperation with insulation displacement connection, said two other metal insulation displacement contacts, and this third element being conventionally traversed by a screw, median and perpendicular to the metal rail, which also passes completely through the second element as well as at at least part of the first element to be screwed into a nut or tapping while ensuring forced approximation of the three aforementioned elements and therefore the insulation displacement connection of the four strands of line;
• . and a fourth element which covers, by plugging in, the remaining part of the second element, thus being positioned side-by-side with the third element and substantially at the same level as the latter, this fourth element thus being plugged in by five lugs of electrical connection, including a lug for connection to said metallic grounding contact which itself passes through the first and the second element, and of which two other pairs of lugs which connect respectively to each respective side of said two discontinuities of electrical connection which are provided in the second element, and this fourth element forming a receptacle for an electrical circuit which is connected to these five lugs and which at a minimum provides the two missing electrical connections, due to said discontinuities, in the connectors contained in the second element .

• . Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, en perspective, du module tel qu'il est livré au client avant toute connexion ;
• . Figure 2 montre ce même module après montage sur son rail métallique récepteur et connexion des deux paires de fils ;
• . Figure 3 est une vue latérale, en éclaté, du module de la figure 1 ;
• . Figure 4 est une coupe longitudinale, verticale, et médiane, du module de la figure 1, monté toutefois sur son rail récepteur;
• . Figure 5 est une coupe horizontale partielle, montrant le détail de la connexion de masse de ce module sur son rail métallique récepteur ;
• . Figure 6 est une coupe, longitudinale et verticale, du module de la figure 2, réalisée au niveau de deux canaux récepteurs conjugués de deux brins à interconnecter l'un à l'autre ;
• . Figure 7 est une petite vue en coupe de détail, réalisée selon VII-VII de Figure 6 ;
• . Figure 8 est une vue par l'arrière de l'élément intermédiaire, sur laquelle sont seuls visibles les lames et contacts métalliques ;
• . Figure 9A est à l'inverse une vue par l'avant de ce même élément intermédiaire ;
• . Figure 9B est une vue semblable à Figure 9A, mais en vue par l'arrière du quatrième élément du module ;
• . Figure 10 est une perspective structurelle éclatée des divers éléments métalliques, formant toute la connectique, que contient ce module et selon deux formes de réalisation de son quatrième élément ;
• . Figure 11 est un schéma électrique de ce module dans la première de ces deux formes de réalisation de son quatrième élément ;
• . Figure 12 est un schéma électrique de ce module dans la deuxième de ces deux formes de réalisation de son quatrième élément ;
• . Figure 13 est un schéma électrique de ce module dans une troisième forme de réalisation, non représentée structurellement ici, de son quatrième élément.

The invention will be clearly understood, and all of its advantages and other characteristics will emerge during the following description of a nonlimiting example of embodiment of this rapid interconnection module, with reference to the schematic drawing annexed in which:

• . Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the module as it is delivered to the customer before any connection;
• . Figure 2 shows this same module after mounting on its receiving metal rail and connection of the two pairs of wires;
• . Figure 3 is an exploded side view of the module of Figure 1;
• . Figure 4 is a longitudinal, vertical and median section of the module of Figure 1, however mounted on its receiving rail;
• . Figure 5 is a partial horizontal section showing the detail of the ground connection of this module on its receiving metal rail;
• . Figure 6 is a section, longitudinal and vertical, of the module of Figure 2, made at two receptor channels conjugated with two strands to interconnect with one another;
• . Figure 7 is a small detail sectional view, taken along VII-VII of Figure 6;
• . Figure 8 is a rear view of the intermediate element, on which only the blades and metal contacts are visible;
• . Figure 9A is conversely a front view of the same intermediate element;
• . Figure 9B is a view similar to Figure 9A, but seen from the rear of the fourth element of the module;
• . Figure 10 is an exploded structural perspective of the various metal elements, forming all the connections, that contains this module and according to two embodiments of its fourth element;
• . Figure 11 is an electrical diagram of this module in the first of these two embodiments of its fourth element;
• . Figure 12 is an electrical diagram of this module in the second of these two embodiments of its fourth element;
• . Figure 13 is an electrical diagram of this module in a third embodiment, not shown structurally here, of its fourth element.

Referring first to all of Figures 1 to 6, it is a module 6 for rapid interconnection of telephone lines which is similar to those described in US-A-4,614 .396 cited above and which are now widely distributed commercially under the general reference "MX ...".

This module 6 nevertheless has many special features:

It consists of four elements 11,21,18,22 which assemble mechanically and cooperate from the point of view of connectivity, and it is designed to be mounted on a metal rail 1, of the "DIN rail" type, one of which of the two longitudinal edges 7 is pierced with pairs of adjacent lights 8, 9 which define between them a narrow metal strip 10, this assembly 8, 9, 10 being designed to receive a contact-lyre for grounding the module 6 which, as will be seen in more detail below, straddles the narrow strip 10.

A first element of the module 6 is its basic element 11 which is designed to be fixed by clipping, by means of hooks 12, 13, onto the metal rail 1.

This basic element 11, which can also be called a lower ring by analogy with known devices, is made of molded plastic like the entire body of the module 6.

It is pierced, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail 1 and over almost its entire length, two blind channels 14 (Figures 3,5, and 6) which are dimensioned to receive the two wires or strands 15 of the telephone line incoming monopoly, that is to say generally the telephone network line. These strands 15 are visible in FIGS. 2 and 6.

Like the "MX ..." modules currently on the market, and in particular like the one described in the document FR-A-2,661,283 cited above, this lower element 11 traps a nut 16 (Figure 4) which receives the threaded end of the, now very conventional, central center screw 17 which, according to the same process as for the devices according to the two documents US-A-4,614,396 and FR-A-2,661,283, comes, by screwing in this nut 16, to ensure forced approximation at least of the lower element 11 and the upper element 18 of the module 6, which, as will be explained for this module below, conventionally ensures the insulation displacement connection of the two pairs of wires to be interconnected without it being necessary to use anything other than a simple screwdriver.

The element 11 is traversed by a first half of a double contact-lyre 19 (see also FIG. 10) which is designed to straddle the corresponding strip 10 of the rail 1 and thus ensure a ground connection.

Finally, a double plastic hook 20, produced by molding with the body of the element 11, is fixed for clipping into the body, provided for this purpose, of the second element 21 of the module 6, thus firmly joining these two elements 11 and 21.

The purpose of this last element 21, or intermediate ring, is to provide the connection connections between the base element 11 on the one hand and the last two elements 18 and 22 of the module 6 on the other hand. It is in the form of a molded plastic body in which are housed for a metal connection which is made, as will be explained below also considering Figures 8, 9A, and especially 10, under form of an assembly of rigid or semi-rigid metal strips and lyre contacts, or in other words in the form of cut metal circuits.

It should already be pointed out at this stage that this connection in cut circuits has at least the aim of electrically connecting, inside the module 6, the two pairs 15 and 23 of line strands to be interconnected. A special feature of this connection is that it presents, for each strand, a point 24, 25 (Figure 8) of interruption, in this intermediate element 21, of the electrical interconnection circuit between an incoming strand 15 and the corresponding starting strand 23. It is in the fourth element 22 that there are the two jumpers which, when this element 22 is plugged into the element 21, then provide electrical continuity by short-circuiting the free spaces 24 and 25 respectively.

The third element 18, or upper ring, calls for fewer comments because overall it is an upper half-socket for connection of the two wires or starting strands 23, typically to a subscriber telephone installation, which is quite similar to those described in the two documents US-A-4,614,396 and FR-A-2,661,283 cited above.

It is therefore crossed, captively, by the master screw 17 which is used to effect the forced approximation of the elements 11 and 18, and thereby the insulation displacement connections of the two pairs of strands 15 and 23. Two blind channels 26, parallel between them and parallel to the channels 14, conventionally receive the two starting strands 23.

These receiving channels 26 however have an interesting feature. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the internal part of these channels is provided over a small half of its length and at least on the side of the orifice 27 for introducing the wire 23, with longitudinal fins 28 which are made by molding.

At this stage, it should be mentioned that these starting channels 26 are intended to be filled, like the entire module 6, with a self-healing sealing gel, such as a silicone gel of this type. It is thus possible to repeatedly remove the starting strands 23 to make repairs or changes, possibly replacing them with other strands, without loss of tightness thanks to the self-healing character of the gel used.

The fins 28 are intended to increase the adhesion surface of the gel against the internal wall of the channel 26, and thereby to oppose as much as possible the extraction of this gel when the wire 23 is removed Of course, the fact that the inlet orifices 27 are, due to the addition of a plug 53, of much smaller diameter than the channel 26 enhances this effect.

A fourth element 22 is also provided, the body of which, itself also made of molded plastic, forms a hollow receptacle which is closed by a welded cover 29, itself provided with a head 30 for gripping this element 22 This cover 29 is pierced with two orifices 54 which allow a line test to be carried out.

The element 22 is plugged onto a conjugate part 210 of the intermediate element 21, while the element 18 comes to cap the remaining part 211 of this intermediate element 21 (see in particular FIG. 9 A).

Note that, of course, an easily removable plastic wedge 31 is conventionally provided between the elements 21 and 18 upon delivery of the module 6 to prevent the screw 17 from being fully tightened before having previously introduced the wires d 15 in module 6.

As seen in particular in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the base of the element 22 comprises five metal lugs, including a central lug 131 and two pairs of lateral lugs, respectively 32.33 and 34.35, which are provided for plug into five respective receiver lyre contacts 191, 482, 462, 492, 472, of the half 210 of the intermediate element 21.

These five terminals 131, 32 to 35, and their five aforementioned receiving lyres contacts are also clearly visible in the exploded view represented in FIG. 10, to which we will also now refer for a more detailed description of the internal connection of this module 6 , this description being made in particular in close connection with FIG. 8 which is a view from the rear of the metal connectors trapped in module 21, its plastic body not being shown there for a good understanding.

• . La double-lyre de masse précitée 19, qui comprend une lyre inférieure 190 qui vient enfourcher la bandelette réceptrice 10 du rail 1 (figures 2 et 5), et une lyre supérieure coaxiale 191, tournée angulairement de 90 degrés par rapport à la lyre 190, qui reçoit la cosse centrale 131 du quatrième élément 22.
• . Cette cosse centrale 131 qui constitue un point de masse. Dans un premier des deux cas de figure représentés sur la figure 10, cette cosse de masse 131 est laissée non-connectée, et n'est donc pas utilisée, sauf comme bouchon. Dans ce cas, où l'élément 22 ne sert que pour assurer la continuité de ligne, son orifice central peut d'ailleurs être bouché. Dans le second cas de figure, elle fait partie d'un berceau 36 de réception d'un parasurtension tripolaire 37, (figures 4 et 6). Le réceptacle que constitue la partie interne de l'élément 22 est alors un réceptacle de réception d'un parasurtension tripolaire qui est tel que celui décrit très en détails dans la demande de Brevet en France n° 93.05049 déposée par la Demanderesse le 23 Avril 1993 sous le titre : "Module de protection enfichable pour module d'interconnexion rapide de lignes téléphonique". Le berceau 36 est par suite un berceau à trois paires de bras, dont une paire médiane 38 qui reçoit l'électrode de masse médiane du parasurtension 37 et deux paires latérales 39 et 40 qui pressent contre une cale thermofusible (non représentée) qui chevauche le corps du parasurtension 37.
• . Les deux paires de cosses latérales précitées, respectivement 32,33 et 34,35, de l'élément 22. Dans le premier cas de figure précité (cosse 131 laissée en l'air), les cosses 32 et 33 forment simplement un cavalier métallique de continuité, et elles sont réalisées d'une seule pièce avec une plaque métallique 41 qui n'a d'autre utilité que de les maintenir mécaniquement dans la partie interne, formant réceptacle, de l'élément 22, et de permette l'accès à la ligne pour en effectuer un test à travers les deux orifices 54 précités. Il en est de même des deux autres cosses 34 et 35 qui forment, d'une seule pièce avec une autre plaque de fixation 42, un deuxième cavalier métallique de continuité. Dans le deuxième cas de figure précité (cosse 131 faisant partie d'un berceau 36 de réception d'un parasurtension tripolaire), les deux paires de cosses 32,33 et 34,35 forment toujours un cavalier métallique de continuité, mais les deux plaques de fixation 41 et 42 sont alors conformées, pour recevoir respectivement les deux coupelles latérales de connexion de ligne de parasurtension 37, en forme de cadre, respectivement 411 et 421, qui porte, comme il est décrit dans la demande de Brevet FR-93.05049 précitée, un couple, respectivement 412,413 et 422,423, de lamelles de contact élastiques aptes à venir appuyer fermement contre respectivement ces deux coupelles latérales du parasurtension 37.
• . Les deux contacts auto-dénudants inférieurs 43,44 destinés aux deux fils de ligne d'arrivée 15. Ces deux contacts sont ici réalisés chacun sous la forme d'une lamelle métallique rigide qui présente une fente auto-dénudante 45 à sa partie inférieure. C'est cette fente 45 qui, en traversant le canal 14 lorsque l'élément supérieur 18 vient faire descendre, en les poussant, les contacts 43,44 dans l'élément inférieur 11 lorsque l'on visse la vis maitresse 17 dans l'écrou 16, vient enfourcher très étroitement le brin 15 en en réalisant ainsi la connexion auto-dénudante.
• . Un premier couple de lamelles métalliques découpées 46,47 qui sont encastrées dans la base de l'élément intermédiaire 21 (Figure 8) et qui s'étendent parallèlement l'une à l'autre et dans le même sens que le rail 1. Chacune de ces lamelles 46,47 inclut un contact-lyre, respectivement 461, 462 et 471, 472 à chacune de ces extrémités. Ces quatre contacts-lyre sont tous dirigés dans le même sens que le contact-lyre 191, c'est-à-dire en direction des éléments supérieurs 18 et 22. Les deux contacts-lyre 461 et 471 reçoivent respectivement les deux contacts auto-dénudants 43 et 44 comme il est représenté sur la figure 10. Les deux contacts-lyre 462 et 472 reçoivent respectivement les deux cosses 33 et 35 comme on le voit également sur cette figure 10.
• . Un deuxième couple de lamelles métalliques découpées 48 et 49 qui sont (Figure 8) encastrées dans l'élément intermédiaire 21 à proximité respective des lamelles 46 et 47, et sont sensiblement parallèles à ces dernières. Comme mentionné précédemment, les lamelles 48 et 49 sont placées dans l'élément 21 de façon à définir deux espaces d'isolement 24 et 25 (Figure 8), la continuité électrique étant assurée par les deux cavaliers 34-42-35 (ou 34-421-35) et 32-41-33 (ou 32-411-33). Il est en conséquence prévu un contact-lyre, respectivement 482 et 492, à l'extrémité inférieure de chaque lamelle 48 et 49, c'est-à-dire à l'extrémité qui est proche du contact-lyre correspondant, 462 et 472, de l'autre branche ou lamelle, 46 et 47. Le contact-lyre 482 reçoit la cosse 32, tandis que le contact-lyre 492 reçoit la cosse 34, la continuité électrique étant alors de ce fait assurée entre les lamelles 46 et 48 d'une part et 47 et 49 d'autre part. Comme précédemment, et bien-entendu, les contacts-lyre 482 et 492 sont découpés d'un seul tenant avec les lamelles respectives 48 et 49. L'autre extrémité des lamelles 48 et 49 comporte, à l'instar des lamelles 46 et 47, un autre contact-lyre, respectivement 481 et 491. Ces contacts-lyre 481 et 491 reçoivent les deux contacts auto-dénudants 50 et 51 qui sont associés aux deux fils de ligne de départ 23. Ce sont des contacts plats, comme pour les contacts 43 et 44. Ils sont différents cependant par le fait qu'ils sont conformés de manière que leur fente auto-dénudante 52 ne soit pas rigoureusement rigide, comme c'est le cas pour tous les contacts auto-dénudants connus jusqu'à présent, mais présente au contraire une semi-rigidité suffisante pour pouvoir s'écarter sous l'action de l'âme métallique du fil 23 qui y est introduit. La rigidité est cependant déterminée suffisante pour que cette introduction provoque le sectionnement de la gaine de ce fil, c'est-à-dire son auto-dénudage. Il en résulte que ce module peut recevoir des fils d'abonné 23 de divers calibres, et dont l'âme est aussi bien en un métal dur, tel que l'acier, qu'en un métal ductile, tel que le cuivre. Ceci n'était pas possible avec les contacts auto-dénudants de l'art antérieur, car l'introduction d'un fil d'acier dans la fente auto-dénudante d'un de ces contacts classiques avait pour résultat d'agrandir cette fente : il n'était ensuite plus possible d'y introduire des fils de plus petits diamètres.

This internal connection includes:

• . The aforementioned double mass lyre 19, which comprises a lower lyre 190 which straddles the receiving strip 10 of the rail 1 (Figures 2 and 5), and a coaxial upper lyre 191, angularly turned 90 degrees relative to the lyre 190 , which receives the central terminal 131 of the fourth element 22.
• . This central terminal 131 which constitutes a ground point. In a first of the two cases shown in FIG. 10, this ground lug 131 is left unconnected, and is therefore not used, except as a plug. In this case, where the element 22 only serves to ensure line continuity, its central orifice can moreover be plugged. In the second case, it is part of a cradle 36 for receiving a three-pole surge protector 37, (Figures 4 and 6). The receptacle that constitutes the internal part of the element 22 is then a receptacle for receiving a three-pole surge protector which is such as that described in great detail in the patent application in France No. 93.05049 filed by the Applicant on April 23, 1993 under the title: "Plug-in protection module for rapid interconnection module for telephone lines". The cradle 36 is therefore a cradle with three pairs of arms, including a middle pair 38 which receives the center mass electrode of the surge arrester 37 and two lateral pairs 39 and 40 which press against a hot-melt wedge (not shown) which overlaps the surge protector body 37.
• . The two pairs of aforementioned lateral lugs, respectively 32.33 and 34.35, of the element 22. In the first aforementioned case (terminal 131 left in the air), the lugs 32 and 33 simply form a metal jumper continuity, and they are made in one piece with a metal plate 41 which has no other use than to mechanically hold in the internal part, forming a receptacle, of the element 22, and allow access to the line to carry out a test through the two aforementioned orifices 54. It is the same for the two other lugs 34 and 35 which form, in one piece with another fixing plate 42, a second metal continuity jumper. In the second aforementioned scenario (terminal 131 forming part of a cradle 36 for receiving a three-pole surge), the two pairs of lugs 32.33 and 34.35 always form a metallic jumper of continuity, but the two plates fixing 41 and 42 are then shaped, to receive respectively the two lateral connection cables of surge protection line 37, in the form of a frame, respectively 411 and 421, which carries, as described in the aforementioned patent application FR-93.05049 , a pair, respectively 412,413 and 422,423, of elastic contact strips capable of pressing firmly against these two lateral cups of the surge arrester 37 respectively.
• . The two lower self-stripping contacts 43, 44 intended for the two finish line wires 15. These two contacts are here each made in the form of a rigid metal strip which has a self-stripping slot 45 at its lower part. It is this slot 45 which, by crossing the channel 14 when the upper element 18 comes down, by pushing them, the contacts 43, 44 in the lower element 11 when the master screw 17 is screwed into the nut 16, straddles strand 15 very closely, thereby making the self-stripping connection.
• . A first pair of cut metal strips 46,47 which are embedded in the base of the intermediate element 21 (Figure 8) and which extend parallel to each other and in the same direction as the rail 1. Each of these strips 46, 47 includes a lyre contact, respectively 461, 462 and 471, 472 at each of these ends. These four lyre contacts are all directed in the same direction as the contact-lyre 191, that is to say towards the upper elements 18 and 22. The two lyre contacts 461 and 471 respectively receive the two self-stripping contacts 43 and 44 as it is shown in FIG. 10. The two lyre contacts 462 and 472 respectively receive the two lugs 33 and 35 as can also be seen in this FIG. 10.
• . A second pair of cut metal strips 48 and 49 which are (Figure 8) embedded in the intermediate element 21 in the respective vicinity of the strips 46 and 47, and are substantially parallel to the latter. As mentioned previously, the strips 48 and 49 are placed in the element 21 so as to define two isolation spaces 24 and 25 (Figure 8), the electrical continuity being ensured by the two jumpers 34-42-35 (or 34 -421-35) and 32-41-33 (or 32-411-33). A lyre contact, respectively 482 and 492, is therefore provided at the lower end of each strip 48 and 49, that is to say at the end which is close to the corresponding lyre contact, 462 and 472. , from the other branch or lamella, 46 and 47. The contact-lyre 482 receives the terminal 32, while the contact-lyre 492 receives the terminal 34, the electrical continuity being thus ensured between the lamellas 46 and 48 on the one hand and 47 and 49 on the other. As before, and of course, the lyre contacts 482 and 492 are cut in one piece with the respective strips 48 and 49. The other end of the strips 48 and 49 comprises, like the strips 46 and 47 , another contact-lyre, respectively 481 and 491. These contacts-lyre 481 and 491 receive the two self-stripping contacts 50 and 51 which are associated with the two starting line wires 23. These are flat contacts, as for the contacts 43 and 44. However, they are different in that they are shaped so that their self-stripping slot 52 is not strictly rigid, as is the case for all the self-stripping contacts known up to now. , but present on the contrary, a sufficient semi-rigidity to be able to move away under the action of the metallic core of the wire 23 which is introduced therein. The rigidity is however determined sufficient for this introduction to cause the sheath of this wire to be cut, that is to say its self-stripping. As a result, this module can receive subscriber wires 23 of various calibers, the core of which is as well in a hard metal, such as steel, as in a ductile metal, such as copper. This was not possible with the self-stripping contacts of the prior art, since the introduction of a steel wire into the self-stripping slot of one of these conventional contacts had the result of enlarging this slot. : it was then no longer possible to introduce wires of smaller diameters.

FIG. 11 is an electrical diagram of the module 6 when its fourth element 22 is simply equipped with the terminal 131 alone (left "in the air" from the electrical point of view) and the jumpers 32-41-33 and 34-42- 35 which then form simple continuity sheets.

We finally note that this module 6 forms a quadrupole with two input terminals 43,44 and two output terminals 50,51, a ground terminal 131 being furthermore provided, but not being used in the configuration of the figure 11, configuration which is ultimately determined by the proper constitution of the fourth pluggable element, 22.

FIG. 12 is an electrical diagram of the module 6 when it receives a fourth element 22 which is made up of a plug-in module for protection against overvoltages, including lightning strikes. It then contains the aforementioned earth cradle 36, as well as the jumpers 32-411-33 and 34-421-35 (see FIG. 10), and is capable of receiving a surge suppressor 37, like the protection module described in the aforementioned application FR-93.05049.

The fourth element 22 then forms both an electrical continuity element, as in Figure 11, and a surge protection module, as it is clearly shown in Figure 12.

The fact that this module 6 has five access points (43,44,50,51,131) makes it possible to design plug-in elements 22 containing all kinds of additional circuits, of which another possible example is given in FIG. 13.

The circuit of this figure 13 differs from that according to Figure 12 by the fact that, on each line strand 15-23, there is also provided on the one hand a resistance to Positive Temperature Coefficient (or PTC), respectively 61 and 62, which is connected in series on this line strand, and on the other hand a varistor, respectively 63 and 64 which is connected between the downstream terminal, ie respectively 50 and 51, of each PTC 61.62, and the ground . One thus achieves not only, thanks to the overvoltage 37, a protection against high overvoltages, but also, thanks to the PTC 61,62 and to the varistors 63,64, a protection against the lower overvoltages which are insufficient to trigger the overvoltage 37.

This can be very useful in countries which are still supplied with a 110 volts mains voltage, which is therefore very close to the telephone ringing voltage. We are then forced to choose a surge suppressor 37 which triggers for a voltage clearly greater than 110 volts, in order to prevent it from initiating with each telephone call. The PTCs and varistors 61 to 64 then serve as safety devices in the event of an accidental overvoltage created by contact between a telephone line wire and a sector wire at 110 volts.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described, and in particular other circuits internal to the plug-in element 22 can be envisaged.

Claims (7)

1. module for the rapid interconnection of two monopair telephone lines (15, 23),
   characterized in that it is constituted by four elements adapted to be assembled on a metal rail (1) for support and grounding:

   • a first element (11), or base element for connection of the incoming line, which is fixed on this metal rail (1), and which at least comprises two channels (14) for introduction of the two wires (15) of the incoming line, means (8, 9, 10) further being provided to connect to the metal rail (1) a metal contact (19) for grounding which traverses this base element (11);

   • a second element (21), or intermediate element, which covers the first element (11) and which contains the major part (43 to 52) of the connections for linkage between these two telephone lines (15, 23), these connections being in the form of rigid or semi-rigid metal pieces, which are fitted in this intermediate element, a discontinuity (24, 25) of electrical linkage being, however, made therein for each of the two line links (46-48, 47-49), and these connections necessarily comprising, on the one hand, two metal contacts (43, 44) each with at least one self-stripping slot (45) which are prominent in the direction of the metal rail (1) so as to receive, in self-stripping connection action, the two said wires (15) of the incoming line previously introduced in said channels (14) of said base element (11), and necessarily comprising, on the other hand, two other metal contacts (50, 51) each with at least one self-stripping slot (52) which are, a contrario, prominent in the direction opposite the metal rail (1) so as to be able to receive, in self-stripping connection action, the two wires (23) of the outgoing line, which are to be connected to the two respective wires (15) of said incoming line;

   • a third element (18), or upper element for connection of the outgoing line (23), which is constituted, in manner known per se, as an upper half-bush for rapid, self-stripping connection of a monopair line, and which is therefore conventionally provided with two parallel channels (26) for receiving and guiding the two strands (23) of line to be connected, this third element (18) covering a first part (211) of the second element by mounting, in cooperation with self-striping connection action, said other two self-stripping metal contacts (50, 51), and this third element (18) being conventionally traversed by a screw (17), median and perpendicular to the metal rail (1), which also completely traverses the second element (21) as well as at least a part of the first element (11) to screw in a nut (16) or tapping, in that case forcing the said three elements (11, 21, 18) to come together and consequently ensuring, the self-stripping connection of the four line strands (15, 23);

   • and a fourth element (22) which covers, by fitting, the remaining part (210) of the second element (21), thus being positioned side by side with the third element (18) and substantially at the same level as the latter, this fourth element (22) thus fitting by five terminals (131, 32 to 35) for electrical connection, of which one terminal (131) for linkage to said metal grounding contact (19) which itself traverses the first (11) and the second element (21), and of which two other pairs of terminals (32, 33 and 34, 35) which are respectively connected to each respective side of said two discontinuities (24, 25) for electrical linkage which are provided in the second element (21), and this fourth element (22) forming receptacle for an electric circuit (41, 42 of 411, 421, 36, 37) which is connected on these five terminals (131, 32 to 35) and which at the minimum ensures the two missing electrical linkages, by reason of said discontinuities (24, 25), in the connections contained in the second element (21).
2. Module according to Claim 1, characterized in that its self-stripping contacts (43, 44, 50, 51) are made in the form of blades.
3. Module according to Claim 2, characterized in that the two self-stripping contacts (50, 51) which are associated with the outgoing line strands (23) present a sufficient elasticity for their self-stripping slot (52) to move apart, during the introduction in this slot of the core of the line strand (23), after stripping of this strand by said slot.
4. Module according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that all the connections thereinside are made in the form of cut-out metal blades (19, 46 to 48, 43, 44, 50, 51, 131, 36, 32-41-33, 34-42-35, 32-411-33, 34-421-35).
5. Module according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fourth element (22) is formed as a receptacle for an overvoltage arrester (37).
6. Module according to on e of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fourth element receives a circuit (61 to 64) for protection against overvoltages which at least comprises a resistor with positive temperature coefficient (61, 62) in series on each line wire.
7. Module according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner part of the channels (26) for introduction of the outgoing lines (23) in the third element (18) is provided with fins (28) for retention of a self-closing sealing gel.

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